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# Suppose $r$ and $s$ are the values of $x$ that satisfy the equation $x^2 - 2mx + (m^2+2m+3) = 0$for some real number $m$. Find the minimum

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Suppose $r$ and $s$ are the values of $x$ that satisfy the equation $x^2 - 2mx + (m^2+2m+3) = 0$for some real number $m$. Find the minimum real value of $r^2+s^2$.

Mar 1, 2019
edited by Guest  Mar 1, 2019

#1
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First, note that by Vieta's formulas, r^2 + s^2 will be a polynomial in m. Since m is real, we know r^2 + s^2 will be real as well. So, the problem is simply asking us to find the minimum value of r^2 + s^2.

By Vieta's formulas, we have

$$r+s=2m \quad\text{and}\quad rs=m^2+2m+3$$
Therefore,

\begin{align*} r^2+s^2 &= (r+s)^2 - 2(rs) \\ &= (2m)^2 - 2(m^2+2m+3) \\ &= 2m^2-4m-6 \\ &= 2(m^2-2m-3). \end{align*}
Completing the square gives

$$r^2+s^2 = 2\left((m-1)^2-4\right).$$
This is minimized when m=1, and the minimum value is $$\boxed{-8}$$.

Mar 1, 2019

#1
+1

First, note that by Vieta's formulas, r^2 + s^2 will be a polynomial in m. Since m is real, we know r^2 + s^2 will be real as well. So, the problem is simply asking us to find the minimum value of r^2 + s^2.

By Vieta's formulas, we have

$$r+s=2m \quad\text{and}\quad rs=m^2+2m+3$$
Therefore,

\begin{align*} r^2+s^2 &= (r+s)^2 - 2(rs) \\ &= (2m)^2 - 2(m^2+2m+3) \\ &= 2m^2-4m-6 \\ &= 2(m^2-2m-3). \end{align*}
Completing the square gives

$$r^2+s^2 = 2\left((m-1)^2-4\right).$$
This is minimized when m=1, and the minimum value is $$\boxed{-8}$$.

Guest Mar 1, 2019